WEEKLY MEMO December 11, 2015
To: Charleroi School Board Members

Coach Rue Resignation from Girls Soccer
I want to personally apologize for not informing you immediately when Coach Rue resigned on Monday, December 7. It is always my desire to inform the school board prior to news getting into the community.
Coach Rue met with our athletic director to submit his letter. I was notified immediately by our AD. In hindsight, I should have notified the entire board immediately. I was not aware that this information would hit the newspapers before I shared the information with you in this newsletter.
What I have learned from this is experience is that I will contact each of you immediately whenever a resignation is submitted to an administrator.
Education Policy with Senator Casey in Washington, DC.
Senator Casey invited me to participate via webinar on Friday, December 11 regarding an update of changes the bill makes to the existing No Child Left Behind law and share the victories he secured for Pennsylvania schools throughout the negotiation process. Below is a general outline of topics we covered:
- Fiscal & Formula Changes
- Reducing redundant testing
- Accountability provisions
- Early learning alignment and improvement gaps
- Support for Students with Disabilities
- Reducing suspensions/expulsions
Budget Impasse
The PA Department of revenue has collected $10.7 billion in tax revenue since the budget was vetoed on June 30. This includes sales, personal income, corporation and inheritance taxes. However they have failed to share any of the money with school districts
Budget Impasse Frequently asked questions , please see FAQs here: http://www.pa.gov/PAbudgetFAQs
Helping Out
The Charleroi Area Elementary Center Charitable Funds Committee recently purchased Christmas gifts for our students. Elementary teachers gave a $35 donation to wear jeans on Fridays and this money wasused to economically disadvantaged students receive a Christmas gift.
Nearly 40 families will receive gifts. This includes warm clothes, PJs, socks and coats if needed. With the wonderful outreach from local churches and families, 139 other children in our district will have something to open on Christmas Day. That brings our total to 176 Charleroi Area School District children that will receive holiday gifts.
PSERS Employer Contribution Rate for Fiscal Year 2016-2017
The employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2016-2017 will be 30.03%. The rate applies to salary and wages earned from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. This rate was determined by PSERS’ actuary and is the first time in 15 years that the rate is not artificially suppressed.
The rate was certified by the PSERS Board of Trustees at its meeting on December 8, 2015. The employer contribution rate may change if pension legislation is enacted prior to June 30, 2016. The employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2016-2017 consists of 29.20% for pension costs and 0.83% for premium assistance payments. Of the 29.20% portion of the employer contribution rate, 20.89% represents the interest on the unfunded liability.
SUPERINTENDENT'S MEETINGS
MONDAY DECEMBER 7
8:30 AM PATTAN RTII
1:15 PM SUPPORT UNION PRESIDENT
2:20 PM SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
TUESDAY DECEMBER 8
1:00 PM CHEERLEADING MEETING
2:20 PM FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9
7:30 AM FAYETTE COUNTY DRUG & ALCOHOL
9:00 AM PATTAN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
10:15 PM 14-15 EDUCATION EVALUATIONS & AGGREGATE DATA COLLECTION
THURSDAY DECEMBER 10
9:00 AM JENNIFER GEIBEL-PATTAN AT ELEMENTARY
2:00 PM PEDZWATER CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING FIRM
6:00 PM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
7:00 PM JOC MEETING AT VO-TECH
FRIDAY DECEMBER 11
10:00 AM SENATOR CASEY
10:00 AM HOUGHTON-MIFFLIN-STEVE NESSER
2:30 PM ELEMENTARY PARENT MEETING
MONDAY DECEMBER 14
10:00 AM NEW BOARD MEMBERS' ORIENTATION
12:00 PM SUPERINTENDENTS' MEETING IN WASHINGTON
TUESDAY DECEMBER 15
10:00 AM SUPERINTENDENTS' ADVISORY COUNCIL AT IU1
12:00 PM HUMAN RESOURCE MEETING AT IU1
7:30 PM INSTRUMENTAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16
8:30 AM CURRICULUM COORDINATORS MEETING AT IU1 COLONIAL
THURSDAY DECEMBER 17
12:00 PM GUIDANCE MEETING
7:30 PM ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18
10:00 AM STUDENT MEETING - CAREER & COLLEGE READY INITIATIVES
12:00 PM HAM CARVING